Ferguson, Missouri Man Admits Buying 27 Crime Guns Recovered in Three States

ST. LOUIS - A man from Ferguson, Missouri on Tuesday admitted unlawfully purchasing firearms, including 27 guns that were later recovered during arrests in three states.

Lamondre Haynes, 33, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. He admitted purchasing 27 firearms that have been recovered by law enforcement in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri while in the possession of individuals being arrested for drug violations, violent assaults and gun possession crimes. Among those purchases were two Glock pistols Haynes bought from a St. Louis County firearms dealer on April 2, 2025, while accompanied by a convicted felon from Illinois. Haynes identified himself as the "actual transferee/buyer" of each gun on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 - Firearms Transaction Record. At least some of the cash for the purchase came from the felon. On May 1, 2025, Haynes bought a Glock pistol and an AK-style pistol from a St. Charles, Missouri gun store and another Glock pistol and AK-style pistol from a different St. Charles, Missouri store. One of the Glock pistols was recovered in Columbia, Illinois after being used in a carjacking during which the victim was shot, Haynes' plea agreement says.

Haynes is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2. The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both prison and a fine.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.